Salvation Army Plan Is Approved * City Zoners Allow Family Shelter, Day-care Center On What Was Once Furniture Store Site On 7th Street.

October 01, 1996|by KIRK BELDON JACKSON, The Morning Call

Over the objections of a neighborhood organization, the Allentown Zoning Hearing Board yesterday approved the Salvation Army's plans to turn the old Zeller's furniture property into a family shelter and day-care center.

The plan, approved 3-0, calls for the razing of a furniture store and warehouse at 338-350 N. 7th St. In its place, the Salvation Army will construct a one-story day-care center and a three-story temporary shelter, said Salvation Army Board member Ralph M. Pidcock of G. Edwin Pidcock Co., an Allentown engineering firm.

The Salvation Army was seeking special exception uses for the buildings, thus the zoners had to consider parking, building height and setback regulations.

Salvation Army officials said they plan to purchase the site and build because the existing shelter, housed in five former row homes at Turner and Lumber streets, is overcrowded and is more than 80 years old with costly physical problems.

But Dr. Khalil Khaliq of the Seventh Street Block Association, who said he had a petition signed by more than 50 people, said the site would be better used as a civic center for the many area youths.

"It's a high-crime area. We need to address that area. I believe that some sensitivity needs to be given on behalf of the youths," said Khaliq, who came with a handful of followers.

Donald Van Gilder, an attorney representing the Salvation Army, said the building had been for sale for four years and asked Khaliq why his organization didn't try to buy it during that time.

Khaliq replied he has only been in the area for seven weeks.

The zoning board gave its approval after agreeing that the Salvation Army only needs 11 parking spaces for the site, and not the 17 the city had recommended. It also agreed that the building's setbacks and height would not conflict with those of other structures in the neighborhood.

Of Khaliq's objection, board Chairman F. Paul Laubner said, "The problem is the objection is not a zoning objection."